Oh, and I recently started using a B17S saddle. . . I actually prefer it to the men's version which is unnecessarily long, though a bit nicer looking. Anyhow, the smaller S version makes more sense on a folding bike and is around 80g lighter I think. The only downside is that it has 'ladies' written on the side, though thankfully in very small lettering.

Thanks, badmother - I was not aware of that. Of course, now we're talking about adding weight back, but still worth considering. I wish I had taken notes on each bike I tried because by the time I tried the third bike I sort of lost track of what the first one (Tern) had felt like. If I try it again (knowing now that a rolling rack is available) I wonder if I could bring my own saddle and have them put it on for me. As I mentioned, the saddle was really hard (I went for a ride today and my butt was SORE from it), making it difficult to evaluate the rest of the bike. I think I found the handlebar a bit low and its height is unadjustable. Another difficulty in evaluating bikes is that I've gotten so used to the Brompton, anything else feels strange at first, but not to say I wouldn't become comfortable with it with a little time. Still, eager to look at Mezzo and revisit the Tikit. If all else fails, I'll be happy to hold on to my Brompton. The issues I've stated in this thread are really minor compared to the convenience and all else about the bike. Incidentally, riding my Brompton today I realized that I could easily dispense with the 2 very lowest gears, so a 10 speed would be sufficient if it had the right range.

You have to be aware that the tern trolley rack ONLY works for the LINK models and not the verge models that you have tried. it makes pulling your bike as easy as dragging a laptop bag around, and stands on it's own. But the lightest link model with gears is around 11.5kg and that rack is 1kg itself. that's around 25lb already. But you get 9 speeds from that link p9 model, the frame would feel different than the brompton so you would have to decide for yourself whether that's what you want or not.

My take on it is if you have a rack, then you shouldn't need to carry your brommie around and therefore the end weight shouldn't matter that much. Also, the rack adds weight, so you either settle for a lighter bike to carry around or a heavier bike to roll around. Sounds like you already have everything you need in a bike but just had a moment of doubt. I wish I had a Brompton.

True to a point, but even a bike that you can roll around easily needs to be carried, in places like stairs, train aisles blocked with commuters standing in the aisle, and so on.

One of its merits is with gear loaded in the sling bag in the trailer frame,
you can load the folded bike up, on top of the trailer.. then use the handle
and tow it at a dead run down a long train platform, climb stairs , and so forth.

then once the sling bag is un snapped and shouldered
you can fold the trailer wheels into the frame..

One of its merits is with gear loaded in the sling bag in the trailer frame,
you can load the folded bike up, on top of the trailer.. then use the handle
and tow it at a dead run down a long train platform, climb stairs , and so forth.

then once the sling bag is un snapped and shouldered
you can fold the trailer wheels into the frame..

Clever Scots..

Fair enough but you would not like to do that several times a day would you?

You have to be aware that the tern trolley rack ONLY works for the LINK models and not the verge models that you have tried. it makes pulling your bike as easy as dragging a laptop bag around, and stands on it's own. But the lightest link model with gears is around 11.5kg and that rack is 1kg itself. that's around 25lb already. But you get 9 speeds from that link p9 model, the frame would feel different than the brompton so you would have to decide for yourself whether that's what you want or not.

Thanks for the heads up, Azreal. I noticed myself that the rack is advertised for the LINK models. I realize that this may very well be the first time the guy in this video is folding his Tern and using the rack, and I could see that a sturdy rack like that would be very useful for occasional wheeling the bike through, say, airports or train stations, but for quick folding and breazing in and out of a deli to pick up a sandwich, I'll definitely stick with my Brompton!

As it turns out, I have to put my bike investigations on hold. Today I either pulled or tore a muscle in my calf while using my kick scooter. Big bummer - hope it heals in time for my beach vacation at the end of August :-(

Fair enough but you would not like to do that several times a day would you?

might get the hang of it.. a bungee deployment system .. after a while

no problem, US built around motorcars, after WW2, and saw to destruction of public assets ,
like transportation
as the Enemy to be Crushed, so, .. transportation could be privatized, but the highways
cost externalized kept at public cost .. aint no trains to catch out here..